Row over ‘unauthorised’ garden centre expansion

A garden centre owner caught up in a row over unauthorised expansion has submitted new plans to the council.

Rob Scott of Hare Hatch Sheeplands near Wargrave was served with an enforcement notice in 2012, when the council claimed he was using green belt land to expand his centre. The dispute was long-running after the council said the land was being used to sell conservatories and greenhouses and to extend the caf? and children?s play area.

Scott?s new plans are an attempt to prevent the possible closure of the site and keep more than 100 jobs. Along with his agents Green Planning Studio, Scott claims that the plans do not violate green belt land regulations.

Scott began a campaign to keep his business open, and customer Heather Mailley ran an online petition calling on the council to withdraw its enforcement notice.